Hi everyone, after struggling away with a hugely over grown and littered quarter plot for the last few months, Ive been offered a half plot on another site, which is not in great shape but not over grown. Its more private and has a few trees, though its more vulnerable to vandalism. Anyway, due to limited space on the quarter plot I spent ages planning so that I could get the most out of it. But now I have the luxury of more space. Nontheless, Ive still got to plan it!
So basically, would appreciate any advice on rotation systems. Should I still go for four beds, but have them bigger? should I go to five or six beds? As I realised a few months ago I can have several crop families in one bed... The there are those crops that can go in anywhere, though I forget what they are. I also get confused on what should come where in terms of manure and lime, nitrogen. One thing to note is that I have no intention of growing Brassicas, cant stands them!!
EVENTUALLY, I want to be able to grow: potatoes, globe artichoke, beetroot, spinach, peas, mangetout, french beans, carrots, parsnip, garlic, spring onion, sweetcorn, peppers, aubergine, tomatoes, pickling onion, sweet potatoe, jerusalem artichokes, onions, courgettes, cucumber, lettuce, asparagus, strawberries, blackberries
Ive thought of doing the following four year plan:
1. potatoes, toms
2. legumes & cucurbits
3. onions and beets
4. roots, sweetcorn, lettuce, strawberries
And have the following permanent beds:
1. Asparagus
2. Globe artichoke
3. Jerusalem artichoke
I would go for the extra beds.
Even with the best of rotation plans ideas can be knocked for six for many reasons not least of which is 'disease' which may render a bed useless for certain crops.
For instance I have two beds that suffer from 'white rot' meaning I cant grow any of the 'allium' family on these beds, however I can grow other things that are not affected by this disease.
So this is another thing I have to consider when rotating crops.
This rotation info might help you; http://tinyurl.com/ytwqf9
You don't need to rotate strawberries. If you yank them out every year, you won't get a decent crop.
Keep strawberries in a bed for a few years, then take runners and re-establish them elsewhere.
Might go for seven or eight beds then. Suppose dont need to worry too much about adding lime if Im not doing brassicas.